Sale 116

Autographs & Manuscripts with Printed Americana

Thursday, October 17, 1996

239. [NAPOLEON I]. JOSEPH FRANCOIS LEFEBVRE. 1755-1820. Duke of Dantzig. Marshal of Napoleon. Manuscript Letter Signed, one page, folio, Paris, 19 September 1808. Lefebvre requests that Mr. Guillot, a land surveyor, be attached to his General Staff. Fine condition. (250-350)

240. PERRY, MATTHEW C. 1794-1858. Commodore United States Navy. Opened Japan to U.S. trade. Autograph Endorsement Signed, one page, small octavo, cut from larger document, 1842. Mounted to a larger page, otherwise very good. (150-250)

241. PERSHING, JOHN J. 1860-1948. Commander in chief of American Expeditionary Forces in World War I. Typed Letter Signed on imprinted War Department stationery, one page, quarto, Washington, 26 January 1923. To Col. James Wilson. Pershing writes with regret on Wilson's retirement but wishes him improved heath and good fortune. Some creases and minor wear, otherwise in good condition. (100-150)

242. RICKENBACKER, EDDIE. 1890-1973. American aviator. World War I ace with twenty-six victories. President of Eastern Airlines. Lot of two items. 1. Typed Letter Signed, one page, quarto, no date. To Edwin Walker. He encloses an autographed photo for Mr. Walker's collection. 2. Sepia portrait photograph of a young Rickenbacker in uniform, 5" x 7" signed "Capt. E. Rickenbacker / 1931" in the light area of his shoulder. Both items in fine condition. (200-300)

243. [WAR of 1812]. Lot of two Manuscript draft orders, each one page, oblong quarto, Pittstown, 10 August 1813 and Schaghtioke, 6 September 1814. Each to George Miller: "...you are hereby commanded forthwith to warn all the men within your beat to appear on the parade at Troy...well equipped as the law directs together with knapsack and blanket and likewise two days provisions ready cooked..." One document in fine condition, the other with plastic tape repair of fold breaks. (200-300)


WORLD HISTORY

244. [BEGIN, MENACHEM]. Prime Minister of Israel. His book The Revolt - Story of the Irgun. New York: Henry Schuman, 1951. First edition. Unsigned. Fine condition, with original dustjacket. Scarce. (40-60)

245. BRIGHT, JOHN. 1811-1889. Radical English orator and statesman. Contributed to the defeat of corn laws. Autograph Letter Signed in full, two pages (one leaf), octavo, Rochdale, 9 August 1866. To Edward Matthews declining to write a preface for his book, stating: "...I fear you will not find much sale for your book in England. The American question has rather passed away from the public mind. Other great questions occupy public attention, to the exclusion of the affairs of the United States..." Some mounting traces along top margin of second page, otherwise fine. (100-200)

RARE SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH GIVEN BY WINSTON CHURCHILL TO FDR

246. CHURCHILL, Sir WINSTON. 1874-1965. British statesman and author. Historic photograph presented by Churchill to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Original 3/4 length pose, 10 3/4" x 14", Churchill is seated in the White House garden, attired in his "siren" suit and holding a cigar in his left hand. Signed in lower white margin "Winston S. Churchill - January, 1942." Photographs of this size signed by Churchill are rare. Provenance: From the collection of President Franklin D. Roosevelt; acquired from his son, Congressman James Roosevelt. A similar pose in the same setting may be seen in Churchill: His Life in Photographs by Churchill and Gernsheim, photograph #211. More extensive background material on the provenance of this piece is available.

(6500-8500)

247. CHURCHILL, Sir WINSTON. Original india ink caricature of Churchill smoking a cigar with Hitler and Tojo buzzing in the smoke above Churchill's head. Signed by Churchill in light pencil in upper right corner. This caricature was used as a magazine illustration during World War II. Unusual format. Mounted, otherwise very good condition. (1000-1500)

248. EUGENE de BEAUHARNAIS. 1781-1824. Son of Josephine adopted by Napoleon. Manuscript Letter Signed, one page, quarto, in French, 16 October 1813. Eugene discusses General Vignolle's interest in learning what is happening in the area of the Piave. He also mentions the reports of the Governor of Venice. Excellent condition. (200-300)

249. METTERNICH, Prince KLEMENS WENZEL. 1773-1859. Austrian statesman and diplomat. Autograph Letter Signed, one page, octavo, 8 August 1836. With envelope addressed in his hand and bearing his intact red wax seal. Excellent condition. (300-500)


FINE DOCUMENT
SIGNED BY MUSSOLINI
AND THE KING OF ITALY

250. MUSSOLINI, BENITO. 1883-1945. Italian political leader. VICTOR EMMANUEL III. 1869-1947. King of Italy. Engraved Document Signed by both, one page, folio, Rome, 15 April 1928. Military appointment of Bajardi Marinno. Minor soiling, otherwise very good. Scarce. (400-600)

251. RICHELIEU, ARMAND JEAN du PLESIS. 1585-1642. French statesman. Cardinal. Ornately-penned Manuscript Document Signed by Cardinal Richelieu as Chief Minister and Superintendant General of Commerce and Navigation in France, three pages, folio, 28 May 1627. Before a notary in his palace on the Rue St. Honore in the parish of St. Eustache, Richelieu confirms a power of attorney to Lord Colnert, Overseer of the Royal Forts and Castle at Ollnoy and Broue. Lord Colnert will have authority to collect money due for rents, duties, and other financial obligations in the town and regions of Brouages, a port city in the southwest of France. The document enumerates these sources of income in specific detail and gives instructions as to the disposal of these monies. Fine condition. (1500-2500)


"...THE NANKING GOVERNMENT
IS A PUPPET GOVERNMENT OF
FOREIGN IMPERIALISM..."

252. SMEDLEY, AGNES. 1894?-1950. American political activist, journalist, and writer. Communist sympathizer in China. Falsely accused of being a spy in 1949, sought refuge in Britain. Although she never joined the Communist party she was given the honor of being buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of Revolution Martyrs in Beijing. Important Typewritten Manuscript Signed with numerous corrections and additions in her hand, twelve pages, quarto, Shanghai, China, 15 march 1935. To the Congress of American Writers, New York. Fascinating, detailed manuscript in which Smedley presents her views and observations on the Chinese Revolution of 1927. Very good condition. (200-400)

253. TITO, JOSIP. 1892-1980. Leader of the former Yugoslavia. First Day Cover signed, New York, 24 October 1951. United Nations issue, L.W. Staehle cachet. Tito has signed in dark ink on the pair of 1 1/2 cent stamps. Attractive, fine, and scarce. (100-200)





WESTERN AMERICANA

A GRANT FROM THE
MEXICAN GOVERNMENT

254. [BUTTE COUNTY, OROVILLE]. CHARLES F. LOTT. Autograph Letter Signed, seven full pages, quarto, Oroville, Butte County, 30 August 1859. To Charles Neal concerning a power of attorney for his brother Samuel and of the necessity of Neal spending some time there to handle his brother's estate. Lott writes: "...The grant of land from the Mexican government to Samuel has not, as yet, been fully confirmed & settled, and this is a very heavy portion of the property...This grant is now in the U.S. District Court..." Fine condition. (150-250)

255. [COLORADO TERRITORY]. Lot of eleven letters, 1867-1869, concerning banking business of Hussey Dahler and Company of Virginia City, Montana. Ten letters are from towns in Colorado Territory and one from Elko, Nevada. Fair condition. (80-120)

256. [KERN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA]. Autograph Letter Signed of HARRISON GRAY OTIS written on pictorially-imprinted stationery of Tejon Ranchos near Bakersfield, one page, quarto, no date. Interesting content of the weather, living conditions, and the receipt of some livestock. Excellent condition. (100-150)



INDIAN AFFAIRS AND SETTLING THE MOUTH OF THE KLAMATH RIVER

257. LUTTRELL, JOHN KING. 1831-1893. Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California. Manuscript Letter Signed on imprinted House of Representatives stationery, two pages, octavo, Washington, 28 July 1876. To Hon. Jno. B. Haynes, Eureka, California. He writes: "Yours in relation to the supposed Indian reservation at the mouth of the Klamath river received. There is no evidence in the Dept of any reservation at the mouth of the Klamath river, and I am assured by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that they make no claim to the land nor any part thereof. So there can be no difficulty, unless it should be from the Indians, should any settler desire to locate on said lands..." Minor soiling, otherwise very good. (150-250)


OBSERVATIONS ON NATIVE
AMERICANS AND CHINESE

258. [MARYSVILLE, CALIFORNIA]. Excellent content letter from a man to his sister, four very full pages, folio, Marysville, California, 17 March 1859. In part: "...saw some squaws go passed, one of them had a child, carrying it the way they carry their babies, they put a shawl on and put the baby into the shawl onto their back with its head sticking out over the top and the child puts its arms around the mothers neck...And there are the Chinese, they go in droves the men have long hair braided in one braid that hangs down to their ankles and the women have theirs fixed so it resembles a sail and always go bareheaded when their hair is fixed nice...Every nation upon the globe is represented here in Calif..." Very good condition. (150-250)

259. [MONTANA]. WILLIAM ANDREW CLARK. Montana senator and banker. Lot of seven partly-printed bank documents signed, each one page, octavo, Deer Lodge, Montana, 1872. Some dampstaining. (80-120)

260. [NYE COUNTY, NEVADA]. SPANISH BELLE MINING CO. Lot of twelve ornately-engraved stock certificates from the Spanish Belle Mining Co., Nye County, Nevada, (1876). These certificates were unused and are in very good condition. (100-150)

261. [SAN FRANCISCO, 1854]. Ornately-engraved draft, one page, oblong octavo, San Francisco, 2 October 1854. Certificate of deposit in Adams & Co. Express and Banking Office payable to William Nelson for $265.00. With engraved vignettes of a gold miner with pick and gold pan and a view of the bank's offices. Excellent condition. (100-150)

262. [SAN FRANCISCO]. Military letter written on Headquarters Western Department, San Francisco, Calif. stationery, two pages, oblong quarto, 10 September (1890's). To Major Wilson concerning his proposals on equipment and on the hold up of transfers and promotions for the Hospital Corps. Broken at center fold, otherwise fine. (80-120)

263. [STANTON, THADDEUS]. Paymaster General of the U.S. Army. Lot of five photographs. 1. Original photograph of Vancouver Barracks, Washington Territory, 5.25" x 8.5," by Partridge, Portland, Oregon. 3/4" tear at top edge, otherwise very good. 2. Original photograph of Gen. Stanton, Fort Douglas, Utah. 3. Sepia copy photograph of Crow squaw, Fort Custer, Montana, 1888. 4. Two sepia copy photographs of Crook's troops posed at the end of the "Horsemeat March" with Custer's recaptured 7th Cavalry guidon. Generally very good condition. (80-120)

264. [STOREY COUNTY, NEVADA]. Citizenship papers for John Openheimer, one page, folio, Storey County, Nevada, 4 November 1864. With gold embossed seal of the U.S. District Court in lower left. Fine condition. (50-100)

265. [TEXAS]. MUSQUIZ, RAMON. Mexican political chief of Texas from 1827-34. Two Manuscript Letters Signed in Spanish, small quarto, one and two pages, 1831. Both letters deal with a law forbidding the further settlement of Texas by foreigners and reflect the growing antagonisms between the Mexican government and American settlers in Texas. Both in fine condition. (100-200)

~

ADDITIONAL
MANUSCRIPT AMERICANA

266. (BLACK HAWK PURCHASE) 2 pp. holograph letter from Lewis & Permela Pitman (brother & sister) to their siblings, describing their emigration to Black Hawk Purchase in Wisconsin Territory.

Wisconsin Terr.: 1836

A fascinating letter of early western emigration, in which the Pitman's describe their life in Black Hawk Purchase (an 1832 cession following the Black Hawk War in which the Indians sold their title to certain lands they had formerly claimed, in return for an annuity & reservation in what is now Iowa): "...I cannot say you can see a better or handsomer country here than you have, but one thing I can say I am satisfied to make my home here, & do not expect to wander much more. I have done as well as could be expected since I came here, when I landed here I had twenty Dollars, I have had to borrow money to get along but I expect shortly to regain what I have spent...I see there is considerably prospect before us - the whole Country appears to be in the spirit of speculation, some are making, some are losing, but upon the whole we are doing as well as we can...a man with a small family can make money fast - it will insult a young man to offer him one Dollar a day for common labor...the Old Black Hawk is living about six miles from us on Susan Creek...." Archival repairs to following (mostly blank) page, else very good & easily legible. (150-250)

267. (CALIFORNIA CORRESPONDENCE) Collection of approx. 25 A.L.s., most written to Miss Amelia R. Young in Newark, New Jersey, originating in San Francisco, California, Woodland, California, and a few other west coast locales. Most are several pages, written in ink, in their original envelopes, some of which have had the postage removed.

San Francisco & elsewhere: c.1889-1897

Interesting cache of correspondence, evidently written between sisters ("Nell" is an occasional signatory), one of whom had settled in Woodland, California. Although most are written to Amelia Young, a few are addressed to Miss Jennie Young (also in Newark), and Amelia herself visited the West Coast on at least one occasion. They give a glimpse of both family relations in the last decade of the nineteenth century, and the ongoing march of civilization as America approached the twentieth century. Generally very good condition. (150-250)

268. (CALIFORNIA - POLITICS) A.L.s. from Andrew McClory in Puta Creek, California, to M. Kane, Jr., in San Francisco, discussing political considerations and other matters. 3 pages on 4-page lettersheet serving as self-mailer.

Puta Creek, California: July 1st, 1854

Interesting letter reflecting the political tensions of the day. McClory apologizes for the delay in writing, but he was involved in the selection of "delegates to attend our County conventnion, particular precaution was taken to send none but anti Broderick men - if this county does not give Mr. Coffroth and Broderick a dig in the ribs it will not be any fault of ours." McClory discusses a letter he got from J.A. Wills, "the most agreable and oily letter I have read in some time," but notes that "John A.W. thinks I am not sound on the Nigger question." McClory also mentions letters from "William Bigler to John [Wills?] requesting him to do all in his power to elect Geo Blake Sergt. at Arms of Assembly...." Chip to letter from unsealing (affecting a few words of text), minor aging, else very good.

(100-150)

GOLD RUSH RECEIPTS IN CHINESE

269. (CHINESE IN CALIFORNIA) Small archive of holograph Gold Rush receipts in Chinese & English; partially printed holograph time cards of Chinese laborers written out by their surveyor-employers, in pen & pencil, plus 2 black-bordered printed announcements in Chinese.

Various places: 1858-1874

The archive includes a holograph receipt from 1858 of one load of Chinese freight to be delivered at Angels Camp; 3 receipts from Angels Camp in 1862-64, holographed in Chinese & English. One with tape repirs to edges, else very good condition - an interesting group of early evidences of Chinese working in gold mining camps, & later at dams & ditches in California. (200-300)

270. (DIARY - FOLSOM, CALIFORNIA) Diary of Mrs. C.J. Palmer, 32 pp., on the benefits & hardships of married life. Contemporary calf.

Folsom, CA: 1857

All of the entries deal with Hattie's love for her husband, & philosophies on how love grows, why he could never have loved Eliza Trumbull back home before her, etc., & with a rather startling final entry in 1859 from Mr. Palmer hinting at his unhappiness in married life. Very good condition. (200-300)

SEVERAL GOLD RUSH LETTERS

271. (GOLD RUSH LETTER) 2¼ pp. holograph letter from San Francisco, about travels & events in California.

San Francisco: April 16, 1855?

The author of the letter writes (in part): "...we have been up country to Nevada City, Marysville &c. & she [wife] is near tired out though she stood the journey well. We rode seventy miles one day over a rough road & part of the way in a mud wagon...We went mining & Meg got some four dollars out of three pounds of dirt, if you could have seen her eyes pop out when she saw the first --, about 4 cents worth. She thought she had a fortune..." Very good condition. (80-120)

272. (GOLD RUSH LETTER) Downey, John. 8¼ pp. holograph letter about the Gold Rush.

San Francisco: June 17, 1853

Downey writes from Chicago about his mining experiences & love of California: "I never would advise any to go there for it is a long journey and if anything should happen to them I would think there [sic] friends would blame me...I got the fever as they used to call it and I was bound to go. I would as soon start for San Francisco tomorrow as I would from here to New York and have to ride on the blamed old cars. True it is you would have to go through a very warm climate most all the way, and I think it would be far better for a man to be in a warm climate than to be here freezing to death...Dear sir you said in your letter to me that gold was uppermost in my mind while in the golden state. You may imagine so Sir, but it was not so for let me tell you that gold occupies but a small portion in my bosom in comparison to my friends...mining is something a man has to see and experience before he has any idea about it. I was in the mountains all the time - I may say I was in that Country only one winter. I stopped in Sacramento City, that was winter of fifty two and spring of fifty three - the people was dying that winter of want of something to eat and could not get it in the mountains. The snow was so deep that winter the flour sold at from 50 cents to $1-50 cents per lb weight, pork 1 Dollar per lb and everything else in proportion. Board in the mountains that winter was $21 per week and only two meals per day and there was lots of miners would be glad to get one meal a day and pay 21 dollars per week for there board. You may think that I am stretching the yarn a good deal but those things I tell you you can depend upon...I suppose I dug to my share some five or six thousand Dollars while I was there but the thing was for to save it when everything was there had to be bought so dear. I say now and I shall always say it, that California is the best Country I ever was in - without any exception it is the healthiest place I think that ever the sun shone upon for if it was not one man out every one hundred that goes there for to mine for gold would never return for you have no knowledge how they have to live in the face of the Country...the Mormons and the Morals of the people are changing a good deal - the greater part of the emigrants now to California are permanent Settlers, those who take with them wife and children - it is the greatest place in the world for young girls - they can get from $50 to one hundred Dollars per month with board and if they are not satisfied with that, can get married almost at any moment they wish. The emigration of young ladies to that Country has been very light owing to the bad reputation it has, but things are assuming another appearance there now, decent and well-behaved young girls are respected more there now days than in any place or Country I ever was in...." An important letter in near fine, easily legible condition. (400-700)

273. (GOLD RUSH LETTER) January, William A. 2½ pp. holograph letter from January to his grandmother in Cynthiana, Kentucky, describing his life in Placerville, California.

Placerville: May 15, 1852

Most of the letter complains of no one writing to him, & comments on people back home, but we are finally rewarded with some news of his life in the mines: "Most of the boys from Cynthiana are in this vicinity - they are all well, Jim Frasier and I are working together in Hang-Town Creek - you would be surprised to see how we can work - they say that I am one of the best shovellers in the diggins - I don't often find a man that can beat me. Jim has grown very much and is a very handsome young man - the girls will have to look out for their hearts when he gets back. Many of the boys have set next spring for their return to Kentucky - how many of us will get back the Lord only knows.I don't know when I'll get back." Spots, else very good & easily legible - with Placerville postmark to address. (150-250)

THE STAGE COACH KING

274. HOLLADAY, BEN. Draft of the Oregon and California Rail Road Company, made out to Geo. W. Weidler for $153, signed by Ben Holladay as President.

San Francisco: Oct. 10, 1870

After achieving fame, wealth and some notoriety as a transportation entrepeneur in the transmississippi stage coach business, Holladay sold out to Wells, Fargo & Co. in 1863, three years before the completion of the transcontinental railroad began to undermine that business; he then invested heavily in coastal steamships and west coast railroad lines, with the present check an example of this later activity. Fine. (150-250)

275. MEEKER, EZRA. Signed booklet: Story of the Lost Trail to Oregon. [2]-30 pp. Three illus from photographs, incl. front wrapper port. 6x4½, original self-wrappers. First Edition.

Seattle: [1915]

Smith 6710 - Signed by Meeker on front wrapper. Meeker crossed the plains to Oregon in 1852, then again made the trip in 1906, devoting the rest of his life to publicizing and preserving traces of the trail and its points of interest. Stain to rear wrapper, small stain to front wrapper, else very good. (100-150)

MINING IN CALIFORNIA

276. (MINING - CALIFORNIA) Archive of correspondence relating to the North Hill Placer Mine in Calaveras County, California. Consists of approx. 22 A.L.s (many two or more pages) & 2 T.L.s. from mine manager D.P. Heap in San Francisco to Walston H. Brown, president of the parent California Co. in New York, reporting on mining activities; approx. 9 A.L.s. from Heap to Herbert P. Brown, brother of Walston, of more personal nature but alluding to the mine; one 10-page report from from mine superintendent G.H. Sharron (?) to Heap, analyzing the work at the mine during the nine month period ending June 30, 1903, and a one-page A.L.s. from Sharron to Heap reviewing work at the mine from Sept. 30 to Nov. 7, 1903. California: 1902-1903

Significant series of reports on the operation, expenses, yields and overall profitability of a gold mine which was reopened in 1902 after lying dormant for nearly twenty years. Although there was definitely still gold in the hills, the problems of extracting it profitably remained. Perhaps the greatest interest is evoked by the 10-page report by Sharron, which goes into some detail as to the salaries of workers, cost of tending the ditch (it was full of gopher holes after laying idle so many years), amount of gold-bearing gravel extracted, etc., and concluding that "I think we have worked sufficient material to show conclusively that the ground is not as rich as expected. I may be mistaken and sincerely hope I am." The archive is in very nice condition.

(300-500)

277. (MINING - CALIFORNIA) Archive of records of the Mount Blanc Consolidated Gravel Mining Company, consisting of approx. 155 documents dating from 1880 to the 1950's, & three business ledgers from 1878 to the 1930's.

California: various dates

Fascinating source material including the original bylaws, shareholder minutes, correspondence, invoices, stock assessment records, maps, deeds, stock certificates & other documents. The Mount Blanc mining co. was formed in 1878 by a Frenchman, A. Gauthier. Located at North Bloomfield, early principals Gauthier, H. Bush and A.B. Brady worked diligently to fund the mine, which ultimately never produced substantial quantities of gold. They also withstood a patent challenge by a counter-claiment, another Frenchman, named DeBour. The correspondence includes letters to Gauthier in French from T. Souchet, who may have leased the claim from Gauthier and and his partners. Over the years the company hired contractors and leased the ground to hopeful prospectors, but no real production ever resulted. The archive exhibits the normal wear associated with such material, overall in very good condition. (300-500)

278. (MUNITIONS) Series of 13 letters (12 A.L.s., 1 T.L.s.) from Captain J.N. Lewis, 6th U.S. Artillery, on the letterhead of the War Department Board of Ordnance & Fortifications, to Wall Street financier Walston H. Brown, discussing various munitions deals. Washington: 1900-1901

Intriguing glimpse into the workings of the military/industrial complex more than a half-century before Eisenhower's famous warning. Though at times slightly cryptic (discretion is apparently adhered to), the letters refer to various deals in the works, the "Midvale matter," talks with the "Bethlehem people," meeting with Mr. Loewe, representative of Vickers, Sons, & Maxim, traveling with General [Nelson A.] Miles, the Drexel interests in Philadelphia, etc. One page with a 2" burn hole (with several other pages scorched), otherwise very good. (200-300)

279. (SAN FRANCISCO/GOLD RUSH LETTERS) 2 holograph letters (2 pp. & 4 pp.) from a female San Francisco landlord or hotel owner.

San Francisco: 1852 & 1853

The author of the letter complains to a young male friend, also in California, that she has had 22 boarders & little help: "I have had one man to work for me but he is gone to the Mines. I paid him 35 per month - good help is scarce. I could pay 45 for good help and not save a dollar for my self, and you would say the same if you see what prices I pay for Provisions: 22 dollars for one barrel of flour, and everything else accordingly...." She also complains of not being able to collect money from people "up there" who owe her, possibly referring to the mining area of California. The second letter, written a year later to her same friend who has by now moved back East, contains more complaints of overwork, & some news of the area: "How is old Roxbury for business - I dout [sic] it is like this fast Country for gold and silver - the Masons and Carpenters, Ship Builders and Stevedores have all struck for their wages two dollars more per day and got it. Business of all kinds is very good, never was better, this having hands full of gold Saturday knight [sic] is talk - I bet you will come back again...after you have been there for a while you will say give me California...I heard from Columbia yesterday they are taking out lots of gold - Sam Smith came down, he says they are making some piles but you no [sic] I don't believe it...." Very good & easily legible; grammatically laudable (comparitively). (150-250)

280. (SAN FRANCISCO) 2 pp. holograph letter from San Francisco, 1853.

San Francisco: 1853

Mostly family news & inquiries, but written in an attractive hand, & an early San Francisco letter. (50-80)

ARCHIVE OF MINE MANAGERS'

CORRESPONDENCE, 1854-1900

281. (SIERRA UNION WATER & MINING CO.) Collection of approx. 75 holograph letters written between 1854 and 1900, most of them from two of the partners in the company, Timothy Donahue and George Cox, to a third partner, William Morgan, who moved to Bennington, VT., to manage the company from there after participating in its founding and early operations. In addition, there are approx. 25 ephemeral pieces of business documents concerning California mining operations. This collection comprises the balance of the Sierra Union Water & Mining Co. letters, (recently discovered), the first part of which were sold by Pacific Book Auction in Sale 103 (April, 1996), Lot 664. California: 1854-1900

Fascinating group of letters and ephemera, mostly written from St. Louis, CA, Table Rock, CA, and San Francisco, relating day-to-day mining operations concerning their claims, water flumes, division of profits, etc. The three had begun mining together "in the old days," founded their company, then Morgan returned to his home in the east, keeping apprised of the operation via these letters. The letters are full of the problems and profits (mostly problems) of mining in California during the second half of the 19th century. Many of the letters include their covers with California postmarks, many of these are Wells Fargo covers, the Downieville and Howland Flat Express, with cancellations from such towns as Table Rock, LaPorte, St. Louis and Downieville. One letter from Bullards Bar, May 28, 1854, reads in part, "not much going on at the old bar, accept when some of the boys get tite it generally turns out to be a fight, all of the companyes are at work striping and will continue until July, and by next fall old Bullards Bar will be cleaned out." This letter contained in a Rumrill & Co., Express, Fosters Bar cover, addressed to "St Louis, Sears Diggins, Cal." From Bennington, VT., Wm. W. Morgan writes to his cousin Wm. R. Morgain at St. Louis, CA, "California Fever attacks me very frequently. Fares are now very low. 3 tickets were bought here for $125. I should think with your composed advantages you would greatly exceed in your capacity. I remember you can outdo 2 ordinary men, especially in the use of a shovel." Another letter, from St. Louis, CA, July 1884, reads in part, "Grass Flat is the richest claim in the State. $500 to the pan last Sunday. We sold $20,000 worth of water this spring. Not so bad, the coin is in sight...." Also included is a significant and fascinating document, a 4-page carbon typescript dated Marysville, July 5, 1883, addressed in ink to W.R. Morgan, regarding "the litigation between the Anti-Debris Association under the name of Edward Woodruff vs. the North Bloomfield Gravel Mining Co. et al.," requesting information about the resource use and production of the Morgan operation. This is in an envelope addressed to Morgan St. Louis, CA, which was then forwarded to Bennington, with postmarks of both Marysville and St. Louis. The whole collection comprises important source material giving a first-hand look at the problems and successes of a California mining operation, being the correspondence between the principal operators. (2000-3000)

REVOLUTIONARY WAR

SLAVERY DOCUMENT

282. (SLAVERY DOCUMENT) "Received of John Taylor for One Hundred pound in full for a Negro also a Horse and a Chair, Mary Bainbridge... This may Certifie the Above things were Sold by Consent of the Hon. Maj. Gen. Putnam, A. Giles Aid De Camp to Gen. Putnam, Head Quarters Princetown, April 4th, 1777." Manuscript ink document, noted at the bottom as "A True Copy." Docketed on reverse.

Princeton, NJ: 1777

Significant slavery document indicative of some of the turmoil caused by the Revolutionary War, especially among those not wholly sympathetic to the American cause. Mary Bainbridge seems certainly the wife of Absalom Bainbridge, a prominent Princeton physician who moved to "Tory" New York at about the time this document was prepared. (He was the father of noted U.S. naval officer William Bainbridge, 1774-1833. The Bainbridge House in Princeton houses the Princeton Historical Society.) General Israel Putman, 1718-1790, was ordered by George Washington to Princeton in January, 1777, and although he angered Washington by his recalcitrance in journeying there, his aide-de-camp seems to have been looking after matters there. Some staining, bleed-through from verso docketing, some wear along the several creases, evidence of glue on verso from former mounting, else very good. (500-800)


PRINTED AMERICANA

283. ADAMS, JOHN. The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: With a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations, by his Grandson, Charles Francis Adams. 10 vols. Engraved frontis. ports. 10½x6½, original cloth, spines lettered in gilt. First Edition. Boston: Little, Brown, 1856

Some insect damage to covers, else very good or better, largely unopened, a massive compilation. (100-150)

284. ALLAN, WILLIAM. The Army of Northern Virginia in 1862. Intro. by John Ropes. Frontis. port. Blue cloth. First Edition.

Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1892

Chipping to spine head, fading to cloth at corner areas with mild insect damage to covers, else very good. (100-150)

285. (AMERICAN COLONIES) Urban, Sylvanus. The Gentleman's Magazine, and Historical Chronicle. Volume XXXVI, for the Year MDCCLXVI. Illus. with 14 copper plates, one of which is a map of Barbados, & 2 are folding. Period calf-backed marbled boards, morocco spine label.

London: S. Henry & R. Cave, 1766

A compendium of interesting articles, many on the American Colonies, incl. "The Crisis, or a full defence of the Colonies," "Account of an extraordinary disease in New-England," "Governor Barnard's reply to the Boston assembly," "The secret history of a former convention for taxing the colonies," "American resolutions in consequence of the stamp act," "The fascinating power of the Rattle Snake," "Pirate history of Con. Philips in Jamaica," "Account of the temper and genius of American Indians," "Account of an insurrection of negroes in Jamaica," "Account of the late Indian War," "Introduction of rice and tar into our American Colonies," "Dr. Parson's account of a white negroe," etc. Joints cracked, else very good. (200-300)

286. (ATLAS) 12 hand-colored steel-engraved maps, some double-page; no title page. 11¾x9½, original (?) marbled wrappers with leather spine. [New York: c.1840]

Primarily reflecting the territories of the United States; the maps include the World, North America, the U.S., Eastern States (i.e. New England), Middle States, Southern States, Western States (from Ohio to Missouri), and the various continents. Texas is still part of Mexico, and American claims in the Oregon Territory extend to nearly 55o. Creasing & wear to wrappers; some minor soiling & offset to contents, else very good. (80-120)

287. AUSTIN, WILLIAM. An Oration, Pronounced at Charleston, at the Request of the Artillery Company, on the Seventeenth of June, being the Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker's Hill, and of that Company. 29 pp. 9x5¾, modern marbled wrappers. First Edition.

Charleston: Samuel Etheridge, 1801

Sabin 2428 - Title page foxed with several chips & tears, repairs on verso, else good to very good. (80-120)

288. BAKER, GEN. L.C. History of the United States Secret Service. Illus. with wood-engraved plates, tissue guard. Original cloth, gilt-lettered spine. First Edition.

Philadelphia: L.C. Baker, 1867

Mild chipping to jacket spine head, else very good. (50-80)

289. BLACHFORD, ROBERT. The New Leeward Island and Coast of Guyana Pilot, containing Sailing Directions for the Caribee and Virgin Isles, and Puerto Rico; also for the Coast of Guyana.... 18 pp. Original printed wrappers.

London: Robert Blachford, 1815

Very good. (80-120)

BROADSIDE FOR ETHIOPIAN OPERA

290. (BLACK HISTORY) Rare printed broadside, one page, 9x24", for Buckley's Ethiopian Opera House, New York, 16 December 1853. With two engraved vignettes of black-face actors. Featuring Buckley's Serenaders performing burlesque routines, including: Darkies Wedding, A Niggers Life for Me, etc. Superb, early example of racism in American culture. Fine condition. (500-700)

291. [BROMWELL, WILLIAM]. Off-Hand Sketches; A Companion for the Tourist and Traveller Over the Philadelphia, Pottsville, and Reading Railroad. Illus. Original cloth, gilt-lettered spine. First Edition.

Philadelphia: J.W. Moore, 1854

Spine leaning slightly, sunning to spine; foxing, else very good. (70-100)

SPECIMEN BOOK FROM BUREAU

OF ENGRAVING & PRINTING

292. BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING. U.S. Department of Treasury Specimens. Illus. throughout with numerous mounted engraved plates of American statesmen & political figures, incl. frontis. of U.S. Grant. & the exact presidential busts that appear on U.S. paper money, as well as engravings of historical vignettes & scenes (such as Valley Forge, an eagle on a shield, etc.); tissue guards. Oblong, 6¾x8½, gilt-tooled morocco, gilt-lettered spine, raised bands, a.e.g. First Edition.

[Washington: Bureau of Printing
& Engraving, c.1870's]

Front joint cracked through, else very good with crisp, clean plates - a truly wonderful specimen book of American figures & designs, by America's top engravers. (400-600)

293. CHAPPEL, ALONZO. National Portrait Gallery of Eminent Americans. 2 vols. Text by Evert A. Duyckinck. Illus. throughout with steel engravings. 10¾x8, original blindstamped dark brown morocco, gilt-lettered & stamped spines, raised bands, a.e.g. First Edition.

New York: Johnson, Fry, [1862]

Foxing, else extremely good. (200/300)

294. CHITTENDEN, LUCIUS. Invisible Seige: The Journal of Lucius Chittenden, April 15, 1861-July 14, 1861, Appointed Register of the Treasury by President Abraham Lincoln. Gilt-lettered black cloth, slipcase.

San Diego: Americana Exchange Press, 1969

Near fine. (50-80)


Lots 1. AUTHORS through 79. COBB
Lots 80. CORBETT through 160. MCKINLEY
Lots 161. MCKINLEY through 238. MACARTHUR
Lots 239. NAPOLEON through 294. CHITTENDEN
Lots 295. CIVIL through 359. ZITELLA







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